My Philosophical Development is Russell's intellectual autobiography and provides a fascinating insight into the extraordinary energy and philosophical ambition that saw him write over 40 books. As well as offering some fascinating glimpses into the changing nature of his philosophical beliefs, Russell also reflects on the fundamental themes that governed his thinking in later life.
Beginning with an account of his decisive turn against the philosophical idealism that was prevalent in Cambridge at the turn of the century, Russell takes us through his engagement with the foundations of mathematics and the writing, with A.N. Whitehead, of Principia Mathematica. Russell also provides important insights into his theory of knowledge and the mind and conscious experience, before finishing with reflections on his work on language, universals and particulars and his theory of truth.
An ideal philosophical companion to Russell's own Autobiography, My Philosophical Development is testament to one of the greatest minds of the 20th century.
This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Foreword by Nicholas Griffin.
Foreword to the Routledge Classics Edition Nicholas Griffin
Prefatory note
1. Introductory Outline
2. My Present View of the World
3. First Efforts
4. Excursion into Idealism
5. Revolt into Pluralism
6. Logical Technique in Mathematics
7. Principia Mathematica: Philosophical Aspects
8. Principia Mathematica: Mathematical Aspects
9. The External World
10. The Impact of Wittgenstein
11. Theory of Knowledge
12. Consciousness and Experience
13. Language
14. Universals and Particulars and Names
15. The Definition of 'Truth'
16. Non-Demonstrative Inference
17. The Retreat from Pythagoras
18. Some Replies to Criticism
Russell's Philosophy: A Study of its Development Alan Wood.
Index
Biography
Bertrand Russell (1872-1970). A celebrated mathematician and logician, Russell was and remains one of the most genuinely widely read and popular philosophers of modern times.
'A work of immense fascination and distinction' - The Observer
'Bertrand Russell is not only the most brilliant philosopher of this century; he is also one of the most self-critical. These qualities come out clearly in his philosophical autobiography.' - A.J.Ayer
